Demise of Aruna Shanbaug extremely painful: MH Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has expressed grief over the demise of former nurse Aruna Shanbaug at KEM Hospital here today.

"The news of the demise of Aruna Shanbaug is extremely painful. One feels as if one has lost a family member. The incident of the brutal attack on Aruna Shanbaug that forced her to live in a vegetative state for all these years was heart wrenching for the entire society. May her soul rest in eternal peace," the Governor said in a condolence message.

Shanbaug (66) had been in a vegetative state for the past 42 years after being brutally sexually assaulted at the KEM Hospital by a ward boy.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too condoled the passing away of Aruna saying he saluted the humanity shown by the hospital nurses towards serving her all these years.

"My deepest condolences on the sad demise of Aruna Shanbaug. It was painful to see her suffering. I salute the humanity shown by KEM nurses," Fadnavis tweeted.

State Congress president Ashok Chavan said Aruna's death left a deep impact on every sensitive mind.

"Aruna dreamt of nursing but had to spend her entire life on a hospital bed. It was cruel fate but she fought fate with determination. With her death, the struggle has ended," he said.